Jharsuguda: In a major blow to air connectivity in western Odisha, regional carrier Star Air has temporarily suspended its Hyderabad-Jharsuguda-Bhubaneswar flight service until October 24, citing operational constraints.
Official sources confirmed that rising aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices have heavily impacted the financial viability of the route, prompting the airline to approach the Odisha government for an extension of Viability Gap Funding (VGF) support for another six months to ensure long-term operations.
Following this suspension, IndiGo remains the only active airline operating out of Veer Surendra Sai Airport in Jharsuguda, offering direct flights to major metropolitan centres including Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.
The temporary withdrawal has triggered widespread concern among local residents, frequent travelers, patients, and students, as the flight provided the sole direct air connection between Jharsuguda and the state capital, drastically reducing travel time compared to lengthy road or rail journeys.
Regional stakeholders and community members have urgently appealed for immediate state government intervention to resolve funding challenges and restore the critical Jharsuguda-Bhubaneswar link at the earliest. “Connectivity with Bhubaneswar is one of the most important requirements for western Odisha. The flight significantly reduced travel time, especially for patients and students. The government should take immediate steps to facilitate the early resumption of the service,” TOI reported, quoting a Jharsuguda resident.
